One Day Private Guide Tour to Kbal Spean ‘Thousand Lingas’ & Banteay Srei
1 day
Private
With guide
Full Day
Instant confirmation
About this activity
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Kbal Spean, Angkor Kulen Hills, Siem Reap Cambodia
Today, 8:00am meet your personal guide and driver and journey north to the Kbal Spean. The original ‘River of a Thousand Lingas’, Kbal Spean is an intricately carved riverbed deep in the foothills of the Cambodian jungle. The river flows down to the Tonle Sap Lake, and in ancient times its holy waters breathed life into the rice fields of the empire via the most complex irrigation system the world had ever seen. The Khmers venerated its limestone bed with a riot of carvings, including the delicate deities Vishnu and Shiva with their consorts. Lingams are phallic representations sacred to Hindus as fertility symbols and hundreds, perhaps thousands, are carved into the bedrock here. The carvings were only rediscovered in 1969 when French researcher Jean Boulbet was shown the river by a local hermit. A trip to Kbal Spean is one of the easiest ways to experience a short jungle trek in the Angkor area, as it is a steady but scenic climb to reach the river carvings. The path winds its way through knotted vines and big boulder formations and occasionally offers big views over the surrounding jungle. And there is a small waterfall below the carved riverbed, perfect for cooling off after the hot climb.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Banteay Srei, Siem Reap Cambodia
Next, you’ll continue to Banteay Srei, Angkor’s ultimate art gallery. This petite pink temple is the jewel in the crown of Angkor-era sculpture. The elaborate carvings here are the finest found in Cambodia and the name translates as ‘Fortress of the Women’, thanks to the intricate detail here, considered too fine for the hands of a man. Originally believed to date from the latter part of the Angkor period, inscriptions at the site suggest it was built by a Brahman in 967. However, some architectural historians have suggested that the inscriptions may date from an earlier structure on this site and the temple is in fact later, marking a high-water mark in Khmer sculpture.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Banteay Samre, Banteay Srei Angkor, Siem Reap Cambodia
Finish your tour with visit Banteay Samre, one of the most complete complexes at Angkor due to restoration using the method of “anastylosis”. The name Samre refers to an ethnic group of mountain people, who inhabited the region at the base of Phnom Kulen and were probably related to the Khmers. No inscriptions have been found for this temple, but the style of most of the architecture is of the classic art of the middle period similar to Angkor Wat. The proportions of Banteay Samre are splendid. A unique feature is an interior moat with laterite paving, which when filled with water must have given an ethereal atmosphere to the temple. Transfer back to your hotel.
Duration: 2 hours
Read more
Show less
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Kbal Spean, Angkor Kulen Hills, Siem Reap Cambodia
Today, 8:00am meet your personal guide and driver and journey north to the Kbal Spean. The original ‘River of a Thousand Lingas’, Kbal Spean is an intricately carved riverbed deep in the foothills of the Cambodian jungle. The river flows down to the Tonle Sap Lake, and in ancient times its holy waters breathed life into the rice fields of the empire via the most complex irrigation system the world had ever seen. The Khmers venerated its limestone bed with a riot of carvings, including the delicate deities Vishnu and Shiva with their consorts. Lingams are phallic representations sacred to Hindus as fertility symbols and hundreds, perhaps thousands, are carved into the bedrock here. The carvings were only rediscovered in 1969 when French researcher Jean Boulbet was shown the river by a local hermit. A trip to Kbal Spean is one of the easiest ways to experience a short jungle trek in the Angkor area, as it is a steady but scenic climb to reach the river carvings. The path winds its way through knotted vines and big boulder formations and occasionally offers big views over the surrounding jungle. And there is a small waterfall below the carved riverbed, perfect for cooling off after the hot climb.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Banteay Srei, Siem Reap Cambodia
Next, you’ll continue to Banteay Srei, Angkor’s ultimate art gallery. This petite pink temple is the jewel in the crown of Angkor-era sculpture. The elaborate carvings here are the finest found in Cambodia and the name translates as ‘Fortress of the Women’, thanks to the intricate detail here, considered too fine for the hands of a man. Originally believed to date from the latter part of the Angkor period, inscriptions at the site suggest it was built by a Brahman in 967. However, some architectural historians have suggested that the inscriptions may date from an earlier structure on this site and the temple is in fact later, marking a high-water mark in Khmer sculpture.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Banteay Samre, Banteay Srei Angkor, Siem Reap Cambodia
Finish your tour with visit Banteay Samre, one of the most complete complexes at Angkor due to restoration using the method of “anastylosis”. The name Samre refers to an ethnic group of mountain people, who inhabited the region at the base of Phnom Kulen and were probably related to the Khmers. No inscriptions have been found for this temple, but the style of most of the architecture is of the classic art of the middle period similar to Angkor Wat. The proportions of Banteay Samre are splendid. A unique feature is an interior moat with laterite paving, which when filled with water must have given an ethereal atmosphere to the temple. Transfer back to your hotel.
Duration: 2 hours
Included
- Private transportation by modern air-conditioned vehicle – Toyota, Honda or Ford
- Professional Licensed English Speaking guide
- Sightseeing as specified in the itinerary including entrance fees
- Meals as specified in itinerary (1 lunch)
- 02 bottles of mineral water per person while sightseeing and transfers
- VAT and all taxes and service charge
- Entry/Admission - Kbal Spean
- Entry/Admission - Banteay Srei
- Entry/Admission - Banteay Samre
Not included
- Personal, travel and health insurance
- Drinks during meals
- Meals that are not specified
Additional
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Features
Tourism
95%
Cultural
65%
You may also like
See all 21 Collections
Click to discover other experiences
See all
Collections
Angkor Temples
202 Activities
Collections
Circus & Dance Show
19 Activities
Collections
Bike & Motorbike
74 Activities
Collections
Tonle Sap Lake
41 Activities
Collections
Classes & Workshop
29 Activities
Collections
Gourmet
11 Activities
Collections
Excursions From Siem Reap
48 Activities
Collections
Tuk Tuk
21 Activities
Collections
Floating Village
45 Activities
Collections
Kompong Phluk
27 Activities